Posts in ‘Things to do in Asia’

The January Tournament, or ‘Basho’, will take place at the Kokugikan Sumo Hall in Tokyo this January as the world’s top sumo wrestlers pit their might against one another.

The first of the year’s six major tournaments takes place from January 11th to 25th and will see some of the biggest names engage in bouts that involve just as much cunning and technique as they do power and strength.

Inside the arena the atmosphere reaches fever pitch as the huge crowds cheer on their favourite wrestlers, who respect the ritual and ceremony which goes hand in hand with fighting to defend their honour.

Many of the top sumo are household names in Japan. One of the most famous is Asashoryu who holds the title of ‘yokozuna’, the highest level of wrestler.

Foreign visitors at a sumo tournament often approach it with scepticism, given that it is unlike anything practised outside Japan, but few leave an event in any doubt about how exciting a spectacle it can be.

Culture and Sightseeing – City Tours – Whichever city you are in these tours will help to ensure you do not miss a thing.

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Nepal has seen the highest number of tourist arrivals to the country since 2000, new figures have revealed.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 50,567 tourists entered the Himalayan country by air in October.

This is an increase of 16.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.

"Preliminary figures by the immigration office say the total number of visitors arriving in Nepal since January crossed 307,748, an increase of four per cent from the same period last year," the board said.

There was a growth of 26.3 per cent in visitors from South Asian countries, the board added.

"Britain, Israel, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden, along with the United States and Canada, have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures," the board said.

In May, the monarchy was abolished in Nepal and the first president of the republic was sworn in two months later in July.

Active and Adventure – Air Activities – Enjoy an exhilarating helicopter ride over New York or a serene hot air balloon ride over the Australian outback.

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A country rich with tradition and spirituality, Thailand will celebrate as one this November as the Loi Krathong festival proceeds in a flurry of colour, light and music.

"The delightful colour of streams" is how the event from November 8th to 12th is described, which is focussed on the first full moon night of the twelfth lunar month.

‘Krathong’ refers to the beautiful and intricately-made illuminated offerings made from banana leaves. These are set to float along waterways all over the country, forming the centrepiece of the festival.

The origins of the custom are not entirely clear, with some suggesting it is a means of worship the presence of Buddha and others claiming viewing it as a means of redeeming oneself to the River Goddess, Khongkha.

Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world each year, who comes to sample the beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, well-know hospitality and legendary partying that the south-east Asian country has to offer.

Culture and Sightseeing – City Tours – Whichever city you are in these tours will help to ensure you do not miss a thing.

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On hearing the word bamboo, most people might think of endangered panda bears. But a unique music festival in Malaysia looks set to change that image for ever.

The Sabah Bamboo Music Festival showcases the instruments and musical styles that this beautiful natural material can create.

On November 26th the town Tamparuli, on the west coast of the state of Sabah, plays host to this event, which features performances from the renowned Kinabalu Bamboo Orchestra, who will delight the crowd on a plethora of instruments made from the material.

Important bamboo instruments include the sompoton, which is a kind of aerophone and the tagunggak, which resembles an idiophone.

Bamboo”s musical applications are not the only thing on offer. Bamboo has been used in a variety ways in all areas of life to those who have grown up with it as a key resource.

Local daredevils will test their balance and skill with bamboo stilt-walking – known as rampanau – and raft-building displays.

This festival offers a unique insight into the way in which people local to this part of the world are adept at using their natural surroundings.

What”s more it raises questions about how all civilisations are pragmatic and ingenious about making the most of what nature provides for them on their doorstep.

There are around 1,000 different species of bamboo found around the world, and it is found naturally mainly in east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Culture and Sightseeing – City Tours – Whichever city you are in these tours will help to ensure you do not miss a thing.

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As China”s international profile grows and its economy bulges despite the current global downturn, there is one city with a rich history that has been known all over the world for some time: Shanghai.

In continuation of its rich cultural past, from November 15th-19th the Shanghai Art Fair brings together contemporary art from around China and the wider world at the enormous Shanghai Mart, which features works from 130 galleries in 14 countries.

Countries as diverse as France, South Korea, Uruguay and India will be represented at the event, which promises to eclipse all the other events in the country”s art calendar.

The event aims to show the world that the burgeoning Chinese art market is in rude health, thanks to its newly-established middle class.

While the event has attracted criticism for the way that works are presented in an overtly commercial, consumer-lead fashion, there is no denying the breath and depth of art and artists on display.

Culture and Sightseeing – City Tours – Whichever city you are in these tours will help to ensure you do not miss a thing.

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As China”s international profile grows and its economy bulges despite the current global downturn, there is one city with a rich history that has been known all over the world for some time: Shanghai.

In continuation of its rich cultural past, from November 15th-19th the Shanghai Art Fair brings together contemporary art from around China and the wider world at the enormous Shanghai Mart, which features works from 130 galleries in 14 countries.

Countries as diverse as France, South Korea, Uruguay and India will be represented at the event, which promises to eclipse all the other events in the country”s art calendar.

The event aims to show the world that the burgeoning Chinese art market is in rude health, thanks to its newly-established middle class.

While the event has attracted criticism for the way that works are presented in an overtly commercial, consumer-lead fashion, there is no denying the breath and depth of art and artists on display.

Culture and Sightseeing – City Tours – Whichever city you are in these tours will help to ensure you do not miss a thing.

Share and Enjoy

As China”s international profile grows and its economy bulges despite the current global downturn, there is one city with a rich history that has been known all over the world for some time: Shanghai.

In continuation of its rich cultural past, from November 15th-19th the Shanghai Art Fair brings together contemporary art from around China and the wider world at the enormous Shanghai Mart, which features works from 130 galleries in 14 countries.

Countries as diverse as France, South Korea, Uruguay and India will be represented at the event, which promises to eclipse all the other events in the country”s art calendar.

The event aims to show the world that the burgeoning Chinese art market is in rude health, thanks to its newly-established middle class.

While the event has attracted criticism for the way that works are presented in an overtly commercial, consumer-lead fashion, there is no denying the breath and depth of art and artists on display.

Culture and Sightseeing – City Tours – Whichever city you are in these tours will help to ensure you do not miss a thing.

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The Thai island of Phuket will once again host the King”s Cup Regatta this year, from November 29th to December 6th.

Considered the premier event in the Asia sailing calendar, the event in Phuket has a royal seal of approval from the King of Thailand, who is a keen patron of the sport and an experienced sailor.

Competitors from all over the world will gather in the waters off the beautiful island, competing in a number of different classes, with trophies awarded on every day of the event.

The news will be of particular interest to British sailing enthusiasts after this summer”s Olympic Games in Beijing, where TeamGB brought home a fantastic haul of six medals, including 4 golds, including one for Ben Aislie who has claimed gold at the last three Games.

Phuket has long been a popular destination for travellers across the globe who come to sample its local culture, dense rainforests and stunning beaches.

Active and Adventure – Air Activities – Enjoy an exhilarating helicopter ride over New York or a serene hot air balloon ride over the Australian outback.

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The Thai island of Phuket will once again host the King”s Cup Regatta this year, from November 29th to December 6th.

Considered the premier event in the Asia sailing calendar, the event in Phuket has a royal seal of approval from the King of Thailand, who is a keen patron of the sport and an experienced sailor.

Competitors from all over the world will gather in the waters off the beautiful island, competing in a number of different classes, with trophies awarded on every day of the event.

The news will be of particular interest to British sailing enthusiasts after this summer”s Olympic Games in Beijing, where TeamGB brought home a fantastic haul of six medals, including 4 golds, including one for Ben Aislie who has claimed gold at the last three Games.

Phuket has long been a popular destination for travellers across the globe who come to sample its local culture, dense rainforests and stunning beaches.

Active and Adventure – Air Activities – Enjoy an exhilarating helicopter ride over New York or a serene hot air balloon ride over the Australian outback.

Share and Enjoy

The Thai island of Phuket will once again host the King”s Cup Regatta this year, from November 29th to December 6th.

Considered the premier event in the Asia sailing calendar, the event in Phuket has a royal seal of approval from the King of Thailand, who is a keen patron of the sport and an experienced sailor.

Competitors from all over the world will gather in the waters off the beautiful island, competing in a number of different classes, with trophies awarded on every day of the event.

The news will be of particular interest to British sailing enthusiasts after this summer”s Olympic Games in Beijing, where TeamGB brought home a fantastic haul of six medals, including 4 golds, including one for Ben Aislie who has claimed gold at the last three Games.

Phuket has long been a popular destination for travellers across the globe who come to sample its local culture, dense rainforests and stunning beaches.

Active and Adventure – Air Activities – Enjoy an exhilarating helicopter ride over New York or a serene hot air balloon ride over the Australian outback.